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EDA asks city to research whether landfill can host a solar farm without paying off bonds
Summary
Economic Development Authority member Tony Manzera asked the council to have staff and the city attorney look into legal constraints (including general obligation bonds and MPCA oversight) and feasibility of leasing the closed landfill for a solar farm; council directed staff to gather cost/time estimates and consider a workshop.
The council heard a request from Economic Development Authority member Tony Manzera and staff to investigate the feasibility of developing a solar farm on the city's closed landfill.
Manzera summarized the site's history — use as an unlined gravel pit, later landfill operations that generated groundwater and gas concerns, remediation activity and lingering regulatory oversight — and said he had spoken to landfill-specific solar developers. He asked the council to authorize staff and legal review to determine whether a power purchase agreement or leasing model could proceed without requiring payoff of outstanding general obligation bonds tied to landfill remediation.
Staff said initial outreach to Excel and other industry experts indicated a power-purchase agreement used for public benefit might avoid bond payoffs, but legal clarification was required. Council asked staff to obtain an estimate of the time and cost for staff and city attorney review and suggested bringing the topic to a workshop early next year for fuller discussion. No formal motion was made to commit city funds beyond directing staff to get cost/time estimates and continue outreach to industry experts.
Next steps: staff to contact industry experts, request an estimate for legal review, and schedule a workshop to evaluate risks and options before any formal council decision.
